Tailgate market to open Saturday

Melinda Hill, a Hendersonville Tailgate Market regular, chooses some old variety Concord grapes at Hubert Barnwell's booth at the tailgate market last August.

MICHAEL JUSTUS/TIMES-NEWS

By James Shea

Published: Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 8:11 p.m.

The Henderson County Tailgate Market opens its 30th season Saturday. The market runs from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Henderson County Administration Building (100 N. King).

"Henderson County does this for the farmers of Henderson County," tailgate market board member Evelyn Nichols said. "The commissioners allow Henderson County farmers to use the parking lot. They realize there is a need for the agriculture industry in Henderson County."

The market was started 30 years ago as a way for local farmers to sell their goods directly to the public. Growers set up booths or park a truck in the lot and sell a variety of goods.

Nichols said the market starts slowly early in the season. She expects a small number of growers at the market this weekend. They will be selling vegetables starts, herbs, trees and shrubs. There might be somebody selling eggs.

"The produce will start hitting around June," Nichols said. "(The market) grows as the season grows."

Every grower at the market is from Henderson County. The market has representatives from the three main sectors of the agriculture industry - vegetables, nurseries and apples. Nichols said most of the growers at the market are small, but some of the larger farms in the county send representatives to the market.

The market is the largest in Henderson County and one of the largest in Western North Carolina. In recent years, the number of markets in the region has grown. Henderson County now has three farmers' markets and the area has over 40.

Henderson County does not charge the market anything to use the parking lot. Each grower is a assigned a spot, so there is no fighting for position.

"Since our (market) is so successful, ours has been a model," Nichols said. "The reason is people like to buy local. ... You are buying from a local farmer and feel its safe."

<p>The Henderson County Tailgate Market opens its 30th season Saturday. The market runs from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Henderson County Administration Building (100 N. King).</p><p>"Henderson County does this for the farmers of Henderson County," tailgate market board member Evelyn Nichols said. "The commissioners allow Henderson County farmers to use the parking lot. They realize there is a need for the agriculture industry in Henderson County."</p><p>The market was started 30 years ago as a way for local farmers to sell their goods directly to the public. Growers set up booths or park a truck in the lot and sell a variety of goods.</p><p>Nichols said the market starts slowly early in the season. She expects a small number of growers at the market this weekend. They will be selling vegetables starts, herbs, trees and shrubs. There might be somebody selling eggs.</p><p>"The produce will start hitting around June," Nichols said. "(The market) grows as the season grows."</p><p>Every grower at the market is from Henderson County. The market has representatives from the three main sectors of the agriculture industry - vegetables, nurseries and apples. Nichols said most of the growers at the market are small, but some of the larger farms in the county send representatives to the market.</p><p>The market is the largest in Henderson County and one of the largest in Western North Carolina. In recent years, the number of markets in the region has grown. Henderson County now has three farmers' markets and the area has over 40.</p><p>Henderson County does not charge the market anything to use the parking lot. Each grower is a assigned a spot, so there is no fighting for position.</p><p>"Since our (market) is so successful, ours has been a model," Nichols said. "The reason is people like to buy local. ... You are buying from a local farmer and feel its safe."</p><p><em>Shea can be reached at 694-7860 or james.shea@blueridgenow.com.</em></p>